More reports on Gedo ethnic conflict

Letter

April 19, 2006

The recent articles on the ongoing clashes in Gedeo and Awassa bring to mind some of the key challenges for those of us who want to see a free, democratic and Federal Ethiopia. This government established a federal system, recognizing that there were historical wrongs committed against some of the different ethnic groups in the country. The establishment of the new regional structures was indeed a bold step, one that was supposed to allow people express their ethic identity and, at the same time be proud Ethiopians. The Southern Region has no historical, geographical or cultural legitimacy at all. In fact it would be far more appropriate to establish a Northern Regional State which includes the present region of Tigray and the old provinces of Gondar and Wello.

The people in Gedeo have always had close historical and cultural links with the people of Sidama. The Sidamas, and many people from Gedeo, want to see the regional structures of the early 1990s re-established, especially with a Sidama regional state. In fact, in the run up to the May elections of last year, the ruling party in a state of panic, encouraged the Sidamas, in particular, to demand their own region as is their right under the constitution. The party leadership in Sidama, in particular Geremu Garge, Melesse Marimo and Shiferew Shiguxe led the people throughout the zone in favor of the region, saying that the people should never accept anything less. There is ample video evidence of their speeches at meetings, especially in Awassa. The relevant bodies agreed to pursue the Regional State and a petition was sent to the regional council, which was duly accepted. The process was then put in place for the establishment of the new region.

Suddenly these three people, among others, under pressure form the Prime Minister, decided that it was not such a good idea after all!! The PM went to Awassa and met some elders, with translation from Shiferew [from the local Sidama language to Amharic], which was at times less than honest as Shiferew tried to tone down the criticism and dept of concern about this issue from among the elders. Some cadre where removed from their posts and others simply imprisoned. Students who demonstrated were beaten and some killed. Even today, a large number are still in prison. Eventually the so-called democratic EPRDF prevailed and the party voted to withdraw the request for a regional statue as inappropriate at this time.

The three puppets were well paid; Shirefew of course has been made Regional President in the so called southern region; Melesse Marimo has been made Ambassador to South Africa and true to form -- the man who was in the forefront in the killing of demonstrators in May 2002 – has organized criminal gangs to intimidate Ethiopians in South Africa. The Prime Minister needs to watch him, as his charm offensive on the SABC and BBC will be seriously undermined if the Ambassador goes too far. Melesse Marimo with his training in law should understand that eventually he will be held responsible for his actions. Finally, of course Geremu Gerge was made State Minister at the Ministry of Revenue.

The irony about this of course is that the regional status will come about and these people cannot say they were forced to beat, intimidate and in some cases murder their own. They will eventually take responsibility for their actions.

Tsegaye Dirasha
On behalf of concerned Ethiopians in London